Style • Play • Every day

Hi. We are a design/style LA based company specializing in mixing eclectic styles on moderate budgets. Also we have a strange amount of fun blogging about all our design and style adventures. Right now I’m happy to say that I’m Target’s home spokesperson, bringing accessible/stylish design to the masses.

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We are prepping for a big reveal over here, but like a 2nd grader on show-and-tell day, I can NOT wait that long to show you some new things that are happening. First up? That vintage piano. Now I really wanted our family heirloom piano (remember our new years resolutions?), but to properly restore it (it was 100 years old) it was going to cost $4k – $6k + shipping ($1300), and even then the player piano component probably wouldn’t work.

So we started shopping and I was floored by how much new (pretty) pianos can cost, and restoring something that wasn’t a family heirloom in LA didn’t seem as fun. I’m sure I could have waited and found the perfect one on Craigslist for much cheaper, but when Mel tagged me on a post by Hernandez Brothers on instagram I showed it to Brian and he said – yes, that’s our piano. When Brian is enthusiastic about something you already love – you don’t wait for him to follow it up with a question. You simply hang up the phone on him and immediately make the purchase. It’s a really healthy way of making decisions. You hear what you want to hear and then hang up!

Turns out I wasn’t the only one interested in this lady but thank God, those lovely guys know me and wanted it to go to a good home (Fun Fact: I actually shot in their store during the pilot episode of Secret’s From A Stylist). It was $3500 and I had to put about $400 in restoring it (whitening it’s teeth/keys and tuning it up, plus some minor other repairs). It was certainly more than I wanted to spend, but we’ll have it forever and it’s stunning (plus they are super rare so I know I could get more for it someday if we needed to sell it). I love it, the kids love banging on it, but sadly my fingers remember very little so I’ve ordered some easy piano books (Mozart, Debussy, and Moana, obviously). If anyone knows the best way to get a 3 year old interested let me know. I know he’s too young for a proper 1/2 hour piano teacher, but I hear there are some fun new methods out there. For now, they play around and like to hear me play which is all I really expected and care about.

***Update: I bought the ‘Moana for easy piano’ book today and while I’m embarrassingly bad, the kids think I’m literally a magician that I can make ‘Your Welcome’ come out of those keys.

About that chair. We are on the hunt for the perfect chair or bench but for now this vintage Paul McCobb (which I found at one of my favorite stores County Ltd.) looks pretty amazing with the piano. It doesn’t fit underneath, nor does it really make a good bench for more than one of us sitting there but for now it’s lovely to look at. And I’m still loving that lamp from Schoolhouse Electric. (Similar here) I want to write a whole post about the power of a non-white lamp shade…

Next up!

Curtains – GAH. I worked with Calico Corners on the curtains and hardware and they are STUNNING and have warmed up the space so much. The linen is washed and drapes amazingly made (more on all that later – but you can purchase that here). Plus they come to you, they do all the measuring/installation and it’s been a dream. I worked with Karen and Ramis at the Pasadena location and they were so helpful, knowledgeable and most importantly they didn’t act annoyed when I changed my mind. Also black French rods, people – it’s what is happening from now on (these are from Calico as well). They block the light on the sides and feel all old world in a beautiful modern way.

The sconces which I haven’t talked about are still my favorite (from Circa), the art is by Kirill Bergart who is one of the owners of County Ltd.

Sigh of course then we have to talk about the two gorgeous pieces from Round Top that are making me so incredibly happy (see full post here). No regrets here – those two pieces are STUNNING (despite the fact that the chair didn’t fair too well in the move and is definitely more of a ‘looking at chair’ than a ‘sitting in chair’. I’m particularly in love with the combinations of modern and antique – and the color of that cabinet is perfection.

NEW STOOLS!!! Remember when I had these stools which I thought were great in there, but then all of America thought that they should be the wood version of that same stool? Shortly after ‘Stool-gate’ ensued and people stopped going to work, mass transit mutinied, and the housing market almost collapsed again because people were so upset that I didn’t want to use the wooden version of that stool. Meanwhile the whole time I did agree that wood would be more ideal – just not that tone.

Enter these amazing stools from Hedge House Furniture. They feel classic schoolhouse, but definitely still modern – and with more of an edge. They have wood and white and warm things up without making it feel heavy. Plus they are really sturdy and the kids can climb on them without knocking them over. And they swivel. So many good things.

So good. And you can get them in a few different wood tones and powder coated any color. Every single member of the family loves them, including the bear (she rolls all over them, sliding around).

Next up, the cuddle corner:

Introducing the most beautiful late 1800’s french chaise lounge (in original fabric) ever! I saw this on Jayson Home’s Flea market portion of their site and fell in LOVE. Now, many of you haven’t known me for my entire life but trust me when I tell you that there is a old Grey Gardens style crazy grandma inside of me, just waiting to don something with a floral or run my fingers through some lampshade fringe. I love footed vases, animal tchokes. and quilts. I like it most when there is something subtle about it. For instance if this were full of ornate carved detailing, I wouldn’t be so into it. But that simple beautiful shaped back, on the smaller size, in that lovely mint-y aqua color…. GAH. it’s just so good. Even Bob Henderson (Brian’s dad) is like WOW, that is such a stunner of a chair.

Now, when we shoot this for the magazine we will style out the shelves all proper (with not just kids books on the bottom two shelves) but I left it because honestly we sit here at least twice a day with one or more kid and read book after book. Birdie will go pick one out and hop up on the chaise and yell mama mama mama mama mama mama mama until I come happily running over to read to her. Both kids know that it’s their corner. Any new toddler books I should know of? I should do a post about it – we DEFINITELY have our favorites that all of us love to read equally. BTW has any child ever loved Runaway Bunny?? Our kids practically throw it out of boredom protest…

From the rest of the room you can’t tell that the bottom two shelves are filled with Dr. Seuss and ‘Little Blue Truck’. I love that there is a ‘Plato’ book on the same shelf as Dr. Seuss’ ‘The Foot Book’. Long story but I recently got all of my books from college back – boxes and boxes of novels and philosophy books from 1997 – 2001, and man is it fun to rifle through old Paul Auster, Margaret Atwood or Chuck Palahnuik or look at Thomas Pynchon and Nietzche and think… my, how my hobbies have changed...

(Hey has anyone read the new Paul Auster or seen the new Hand Maiden’s Tale on Hulu? Brian started it last night and said it was too bleak for even him – and he knows this emotional lady doesn’t do “bleak” or “depressing” so well since I’ve had kids (even though I loved The Killing and The Affair …. please do weigh in).

Oh and yes that is another piece of art by Kirill Bergart.

There is more to show you but I’ve talked enough for the night. Mondays are my night ‘off’ (it’s when Brian doesn’t have rehearsals so he’s on kid duty) so I need to, you know, get on pinterest and watch my ladies of New York City ….

*P.S. Dear Bachelor – I really, really miss you.

I feel like I asked you like 94 questions in this post so go for it. Piano lessons? Paul Auster?

HA. I started it a few weeks ago and I love it (Riverdale). I need to finish it. A good friend of mine is a writer on it and he was like ‘YOU OF ALL PEOPLE WILL LOVE THIS’ and he was right. I was obsessed with Paul Auster when I lived in New york – Like I went to all of his book readings/signings and I have read everything he’s ever written. But the later ones were a little less exciting … Good to know to pick it up. I’m ordering on Amazon now!

Oh what fun! I have the same piano as Emily Henderson! I inherited mine twenty years ago and it’s one of my favorite pieces. It’s in great shape – I oil it occasionally and it hold its tune really well. I have found it to be rather loud – but then I have three plunkers who are playing everything from Moana to Chopin – we have our own family life soundtrack going on around here.

HA. it is loud! We got ours tuned but I think I need to get it retuned now that its settled. I think we also have really sensitive acoustics in our house – aka, every tiny noise can be heard everywhere since its so open. So I wasn’t sure if it was just our house, but the piano tuner was like ‘wow, this has big sound’. 🙂

I live in an apartment building with mostly professional musicians, many of whom have pianos. You need to cover the back side (whatever cannot be seen) with layers of paper towel. It’s that simple. It will soften the sound but not muffle it!

Congrats on the piano!! Having it in the house NOW is one of the best things you can do to get your children interested in music. As a piano teacher, I do really like the Music for Little Mozarts series. Three is a little young, but you could take a look at the book, and it will give you an idea how to encourage kids to find things like groups of 2 & 3 black notes, playing them high & low, etc. Simple things like that if they are interested in learning. Family concerts and playing great classical music around the home are other ways to foster an interest. Good luck, and beautiful piano!

Oh my gosh, Corrie, I love what you wrote (because I was going to write something very similar!). The best (musical) gift for a child is to let them have access to not just the instrument but the permission and freedom to goof around on it. Plus having someone joyfully, collaboratively play it in their company definitely helps.

I play the piano and banjo (neither particularly well — I am not musically-gifted at all nor am I being modest) and my husband the guitar, mandolin, and violin (and he *is* talented, but shy). Our lambies have been exposed to homemade music since in utero, and as soon as they could pull themselves up to standing they would come to Tuneful Tilly with us, on tip-toes to reach the piano keys or just touching the guitar / banjo, pulling on the strings while we played. When our eldest was 3 1/2 he began violin and so started our family music revue.

One of my favorite photographs is of our eldest, around four months-old, lying on the sofa, propped up by pillows and with one of our cats partially lying on him, both of them rapt with my partner sitting on the sofa, facing son + cat, playing his acoustic guitar.

Books:
“There was an Old Monster” by Rebecca Emberley (the words have a wonderful rhythmic flow which is TONS of fun to develop and read / sing along — I made up my own melody, but on YouTube there is a sing-along)

“The Doghouse” by Jan Thomas (I love hamming it up and so do my kids so we have fun very expressively voicing the animals, although my husband is v-e-r-y sedate and our youngest still enjoys his book reading)

the author David Shannon, esp “Duck on a Bike” and “Good Boy Fergus!”

“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin, Jr, although the YouTube video of it has definitely superseded it

And Emily, I’m so glad you are loving your new pieces! Isn’t that just happy-making? From an aunt I recently inherited some fantastic old santos and nichos, and I feel likewise tickled seeing them up with our collection. While I dislike being acquisitive I sure do love the result! Hmm.

I agree with all this and would add that you need to sing as much as you can with your kids and practice keeping a steady beat – clapping, patting, marching, tapping – and counting those beats. This comes naturally to little kids but can be really challenging to new piano students if they don’t have experience keeping a steady beat. I love to listen to music with my four year old and talk about what he hears, what he likes, and encourage moving to lots of different kinds of music. Internalizing that musicality will really help Charlie enjoy making music!

Everything is so lovely! That piano is jaw-dropping. I want to come over and just sit and take your beautiful place in – which is not creepy AT ALL. I hear you on the fringe and florals and on bleak shows – I can’t watch them since kids either. Maybe someday. Re toddler books – we are children’s book lovers here – here are a few that both my girls loved when they were toddlers: Owl Babies, any of the Alfie books by Shirley Hughes, Poppleton, any Robert McCloskey, Mike Mulligan, The Little Fur Family, Beatrix Potter (at about 3/4 and when they are at their best moment of the day, attention span wise, but so worth it for the depth of story and beauty), poetry and nursery rhymes are essential, Kevin Henkes’ books (like Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse), Rosemary Wells’s Bunny Planet, the Milly Molly Mandy stories, Winnie the Pooh originals (both for preschoolers, really), and Home by Carson Ellis and Today by Julie Morstad which are both so unbelievably beautiful I want to wallpaper my home in them. I’ll stop so you can have a day beyond this comment 🙄

I haven’t heard of 1/2 of these. Thank you! We are going to start going to the library next week to check stuff out because buying these books is getting expensive …. although Its really the only thing in the world I don’t feel guilty about buying for them ….

Emily, what I am loving as a grandmother is to order children’s books online from my library based on reviews and recommendations I’ve received. Because the library keeps an online record of borrowed books (at least for a year), you can reorder favorites very easily. When the children have a very beloved favorite, then I click over to Amazon and have it sent for keeps.

– ‘Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise’ – this also seemed to entertain grown-up friends too: it’s about a deluded owl who thinks that disguises are the best way to catch dinner.
– ‘Oi Frog’ and ‘Oi Dog’ – these are about what animals have to sit on – eg, cats sit on mats, frogs sit on logs, and gnus sit on canoes. As well as being-super silly, the rhyming might be good for language learning (but I think the silliness is the main point).
– ‘The Tickle Book’ (Ian Whybrow) – my daughter loves finding the Tickle Monster under the flaps and then getting tickled; there are lots of giggles.
– ‘The Koala Who Could’ – for a book with a message (‘don’t be afraid to try something new’), not really preachy at all. I love seeing all the different Australian animals.
– ‘Shh! We Have a Plan’ – the illustrations in this are great, they look like paper cut outs, but the faces on the little people are so expressive. It’s mostly blue-monochrome until partway through, but ont he really colourful page with lots of birds, my daughter gets really excited, which is so cute.

I could go on for ages! One more…

– Deep in the Forest (Josef Antòn) – this is a big board book with flaps, and again has lovely, graphic illustrations. There’s loads of detail on each page.

I also heard about ‘Ella, Queen of Jazz’ yesterday, which is about Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe – I totally want this for myself! I do have this problem with buying books that are a bit over my daughter’s head at the moment (she’s one) because they’re such a pleasure to look through. At the moment I’m really enjoying ‘Women in Science’ by Rachel Ignotofsky.

That piano is both awesome and a little bit weird. Does it need the legs for balance do you think, or are they just for looks?

I second “Dragons love Tacos” as well as their other books “Secret Pizza Party” and “Robo Sauce.” We also really love everything by Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler; “The Gruffalo,” “The Snail and the Whale,” “The Spiffiest Giant in Town.” When my little girl was Birdie’s age, we read a little book called “My Friends” by Taro Gomi A LOT!! It’s a gem. Also “Bugs Galore” was a fave board book. And yes, Runaway Bunny is just the pits!!!

PS: Holy crud, that PIANO! Perfection. I’m really loving that even though you’re embracing many more traditional pieces, you haven’t abandoned your love for mid-century. Such a good mix.

We had a 100 year old piano and swapped it for a 1970s piano because while the old one was beautiful our piano tuner said (my paraphrase), Old Piano is to Model T Ford, 1970s or newer piano is too 2001 Honda. She can learn to drive in both, but one will obviously be significantly better if she intends to get better and better at driving. Yours is really, really beautiful.

Fave kids’ books: The Pout Pout Fish, Skippyjon Jones (I haven’t read them all, but I’m a sucker for a Spanish accent so I thoroughly enjoy a good reason to try mine out), Little House picture books, and anything by Usborne especially the ones about New Experiences like Going on a Plane, Going to the Doctor, etc.

Percy Jackson 3 is the one movie we believe will stick to the original material we found in Rick Riordan’s novel. We believe that the character of Artemis will be well essayed in this last film of the trilogy.
While the previous films have been high n CGI, the last film will hopefully have more human elements. To know about Percy Jackson 3 just take a look and you get all the information you need http://Percyjackson3s.com

The new Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu is essential, amazing, beautiful, crushing and brutal. (And the interiors and sets are incredible and gorgeous and perfect.) I was the same when my kids were young-couldn’t take the drama! But now my daughters are older and one is reading the book, and we should all wake up to the themes and ideas of this “future” depicted in the series…enough said but it’s very very good!!

I have to piggy back on Rachel’s comment because that is what I came here to say. This post reminds me of phone calls with my best friend — we go too long between catch ups because our lives and children are crazy and when we do talk we cover 120 different unrelated topics and never finish a sentence. It’s the best.

That exact piano was on my city’s craigslist a couple of years ago for $200, I think. I was DYING to get it until I asked my husband, who is a piano player, if we could get it for the house. He said he didn’t want it because the sound is terrible. He wasn’t convinced by my argument that how it LOOKS is more important than how it SOUNDS! Oh well.

As for toddler books, my kids really like The Bear’s Song. It’s a large picture book with detailed illustrations where the kids figure out where Little Bear and Papa Bear are on the page. It has follow up books The Bear’s Sea Escape and The Bear’s Surprise. It’s one of the few books I actually like to read to them!

I really do love the Suzuki method – it’s such good ear training, and since you have a background in piano, even if you’ve forgotten everything, you will be a great home teacher, complementing your Suzuki teacher’s lessons.

I second the Suzuki method suggestion. He’s not too young to start researching it and doing things like observing lessons and finding a potential teacher. You might see if there are Suzuki Early Childhood Education programs in your area, which are a great start. Barring that, some music and movement classes might be really fun until you’re ready to transition into Suzuki lessons.

I can also recommend Suzuki method. Both my kids did Suzuki, one for piano and viola and one for violin. I wish I would have started them both at 3. It’s not too young. Lots of parent involvement, but it’s great!

Suzuki is getting my daughter through music school….it teaches you to play by ear which has saved her rear in Ear Training. But do add direct teaching of music theory little by little which suzuki doesn’t do.

Hi, Emily! Can you share who the maker/model of that piano is? We have a budding pianist and settled on a clavinova that we’re keeping in our bedroom because it’s just not stylish 🙂 Sad, but true. Also, I’m a band director and started my Kindergartener in Suzuki. (I only played a tad in college.) It’s moving SO fast and she’s so interested. The key for Suzuki is that the parents have to attend and pay attention so you can practice with the kids at home. Our lesson space has an area for siblings to play. My younger son is so used to it now, too, that he walks in and grabs the legos no problem. Oh, and another key Suzuki component is the listening. Theres a cd we keep in the car and play quite often – makes learning the songs so much more easier and effective. Now – please don’t forget to share that piano model!!! Thank yoU!!!

Love your new finds and I’m so excited about your children’s books request! I’m taking notes on the comments. 🙂 My son is 2 and loves “Room on the Broom.” I like the rhyme scheme and that the witch is nice. Most of his books are about tractors and construction equipment so this is a welcome change! The Best Mouse Cookie and Rainbow Fish are cute (both about sharing), Giraffes Can’t Dance, and we are getting into Madeline as well since I loved them when I was little. You’ve probably heard of all of them but I wanted to share since I’m getting so many good ideas here. Thanks!

I think your romantic, cozy chaise lounge is having a lovely conversation with your ceiling beams. And I am picturing ONLY BOOKS in your reading nook shelves, except for a safe spot to set a tea mug. I love that piano. And am enjoying your eclectic taste.

I honestly felt sick to my stomach watching the first three episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale that are out right now but MAN is it good and honestly so relevant in today’s climate. It’s harrowing to watch but in a way that I think is still worthwhile. If you can, you should at least give it a shot. It’s also beautifully shot and just all-around well done.

I haven’t tried it but a friend of mine found an app for her ipod that does piano lessons. Sorry I don’t know what it’s called though. You could try that route to start with so you don’t waste money while the kids are really young.

I’m not a fan of the chaise (mostly the proportions as the long part seems overly stuffed/large compared to the back rest) but if everyone liked the same things the world would be pretty boring.

Your house is turning out beautiful! Nice to see it all come together and I can imagine it’s difficult to put together everything all at once vs having your home come together a bit more organically over a period of years

OMG. That piano is to die for. My sister still has our family piano from like 40 years ago, and it’s SO special to her (and me even though she has it). Your kids will love this piano forever. And that chaise???? Kill me now. Very glam and sexy and it seems to fit into your house beautifully. On a side note, loved “The Killing” – the lead female character is unrecognizable in the new “The Catch” – that’s how well “The Killing” did on depressing and dark. I really want to be your best friend – between your outrageously perfect style and your tv show loves…..besties????

This all looks amazing! I love the quirky, fun Emily style. The new stools are a HUGE improvement over the former ones and they fit the style and tones of the kitchen. Piano is super cool. The only reservation that I have is the new chaise….it’s your home and you like it, so that’s great! I think a chair and ottoman would better fit the space. Also, not sure about the shabby chic cabinet and black chair under the sconce next to the window. The rest of the style is more “Cool California Classic Modern” as you’d say on “Secrets from a Stylist.” 🙂 The shabby doesn’t necessarily blend for me.

Wow, your piano is gorgeous! I learned the piano starting at age six with the Suzuki method, which I loved as a young kid! I know people with real little littles who enjoyed Music Together classes. Eventually (When it became more about reading music than learning by ear and practicing an hour every day) I stopped playing piano in my teens. Still the music knowledge I gained served me well in studying ballet and in life in general.

Books: The Brambley Hedge series, by Jill Barklem
Like Beatrix Potter, but more involved stories that all connect. And Barklem did research on all the recipes, fashion, jobs, and crafts mentioned in the books so that they are real things pulled from English history. But done/worn by cute little mice. 🙂 Get the big hardcover of the complete series. It’s heavy to hold, BUT the pictures are big and that’s what you want. They are so detailed regarding how a flour mill is constructed and works, how water wheels are used to cool milk so it can be made into cheese, what kinds of fruit/veg/herbs were stored in pantries, quilting, lacemaking, etc. My kids love to look at the pictures for hours, even after they can read to themselves.

I love to look at the gorgeous styling you do with bookcases, however your bookcases pictured above are my absolute favorite ‘styling’ look – beautiful, well used books by a lovely, cozy reading chair. Your home is stunning. My thanks for the sneak peek!

Completely agree with the above book suggestions! My almost 4 year old loves these and i actually look forward to bedtime reading. Great light-hearted fun reads. And please check out If I Built A House and If I Built a Car. Fantastic read aloud books to encourage creativity!

My son is a month younger than Birdie. He loves all Sandra Boynton books, which are very popular. The fave currently is Oh no, George about a mischievous dog, who gets into lots of trouble. My son loves to say Oh no, George at the right times. Love the piano, chaise and the chest. Habdmaid’s Tale is heart wrenching but so,so well done and relevant in these times. I think the messages are so very important and Elisabeth Moss is so fantastic she brings dark humor into the show. I loved The Killing and The Affair too. Some spoilers in here but great read https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/05/the-handmaids-tale-treats-guilt-too-as-an-epidemic/524583/

The Leslie Patricelli books were my son’s favorites, especially yummy yucky. They are for the smallest readers. I have such sweet memories of reading Yummy Yucky with him and he would have us each pretend to “eat” everything in the book. Brown Bear Brown Bear was another favorite and the first one he memorized and “read” back to me. Also the original berenstain bears and books by Frank Asch. I read runaway bunny to him a lot as a tot and I don’t remember him hating it but he was and is a mellow kid

1. I am currently OBSESSED with Handmaid’s Tale–in the current political climate watching this all unfold is bone chilling but also feels so poignant. It has been a while since I read the book so I honestly don’t remember much, but I am sucked in. Every time I watch an episode I don’t want it to end. I am not a mom so I can’t speak to how some of the subject matter would affect you, but defintely as a woman it really hits home as a true horror story.

2. Are those curtains lavendar? Loving the tone of those curtains with the greys and and the tone of your floors and the jasmine (you guys are really into styling jasmine right now).

3. I’m the freak of a commenter who feels the need to tell you that I had a dream about you last night… we were friends and I was at your house! Watching IG stories before bed is really infiltrating my brain….

I just have to say that all this subtle suggestion that Trump and the Handmaid’s Tale are some sort of timely tie together is amusing. Trump is not coming for yall in the night! I am not in love with the man, but really?! (rhetorical)

Some questions: Who are you? Why did you take the time to write this? Why are you dispensing unsolicited advice? Are you wildly more successful than Emily? Did she ask you? I suggest maybe getting a hobby or reading a book if you’re annoyed by this blog. Also, there is the entire rest of the internet. Maybe you could check that out. That Emily injects a bit of her personality into these posts is one of the reasons I like reading her blog.

I’m a bachelor fan too and have found First Dates on NBC to be really quite cute! It’s so nice to see people of all ages and backgrounds on a reality show. Fargo season 3 has also started and it is awesome… but First Dates is just some fun tv that won’t give you the heebie jeebies.

Everything is coming together so beautifully and eclectic!! Not to sound generic but I really love it all.

Regarding the piano: My husband and I do not play so I knew I had to find the right fit for my daughter if I really really wanted her to learn piano. I ended up going with a Suzuki teacher. The style of learning really resonated with me and we love the teacher which is probably the most important. The Suzuki method really emphasizes learning by ear first, technique, then reading music. This requires lots of involvement from the parent, mostly in sitting with them while they practice. I feel like Naomi is really getting somewhere because she enjoys that I am really involved and wants to do well all around. Having said that, I know it’s not for everyone. A quick google search of Suzuki will give you all the info you need.

Also, I own this piano, and now I have to gloat a little- I searched everyday on my local Craigslist here in Jacksonville Beach and finally after 3 months and my husband telling me to give up I found one listed- for $400!!! Perfect condition, no stool, but still, unbelievable!! Best purchase I have ever made or probably ever will!

I am hoping you do a styling 4 ways of your piano so I can see some different ideas.

It’s out of print, but track down an old copy of “My Cat Beany” (Jane Feder) on ebay. It was a childhood favorite of mine, and my little dude (a few months older than Birdie) is so obsessed he wakes up asking for it. It’s perfect for a family with kitty cats.

Try the “Let’s Play Music” program. Small group piano lessons start at preschool age, and the program lasts 3 years. My twin boys are about to finish their 3rd year and they have learned far more theory than I ever did taking piano lessons for several years. And I’ve learned a lot too.
Probably have certified teachers in your area. Very much recommend the program.

Also, my daughter’s pre-school had a piano teacher that came to the school to teach a couple times a week. My daughter was 3 at the time and came home one day begging to take lessons. The teacher said she usually starts at age 3. She said they are like sponges. She was right. My daughter started at 3 and is 6 now and still takes lessons and learns so quickly.

That piano! That chaise! Those curtains! My youngest grands love Runaway Bunny. They also love my huge picture book edition of Peter Rabbit and a more contemporary story, Mother Bruce. I second an earlier recommendation of Little Fur Family, particularly the fur covered edition. Yummy, Yucky is read often, as is When I was Young in the Mountains. It’s Pajama Time is always a hit, and don’t miss Barnyard Dance and Snuggle Puppy.

I love the new stools!
My sons adored this book “The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear”. I must have read it to them a thousand times. Another favorite was ‘No Jumping on the Bed!’

Check out Piano Play in Pasadena, Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills for lovely pre piano lesson music classes for kids. All three of my boys went there and transitioned into real lessons when they could sit for 30 minutes–about age 5.

The only thing I will add to the very long list of great children’s books is to PLEASE run to the library and check out any and all of Arnold Lobel’s beautiful, melancholic small masterpieces for children. No better books to teach empathy and kindness. Just be prepared to fight back a tear or two.

The piano is bitchin’ as hell. And the chaise gives me pangs of regret that I didn’t buy a similar gorgeous, simple velvet chaise from my local antique store (you really need to make a trip to the Temecula area to treasure hunt thrifters and antique stores) for only $250! Email me and I’ll let you in on all of my secret places!

I was one of the annoying people that whined about your previous stools… I love these new ones soooo much! and the piano vignette is so adorable, now I want everything in there and a room to put them in!

I did notice that the “first versions” of what you did in the new home was more country/rustic/traditional, and you are adjusting more to a more crisp, modern, “interesting and fresh” design… and I was thinking that I truly hope this is because you are adjusting the house to your style instead of adjusting you to the house era, vs you hearing our stupid opinions, because WHAT DO WE KNOW??? You are the (amazing) designer here, and we come here to see and gasp about what YOU do. 🙂

I LOVE children’s books! Some favorites for littles are, Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers (and several others by him), Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site (and the new counterpart Mighty Mighty Construction Site), Harold and the Purple Crayon, The Little Engine That Could, Olivia, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, Joey and Jet in Space, Toot and Pop by Sebastian Braun, Freight Train by Donald Crews, Rainbow Fish, Corduroy by Don Freeman, Giraffe’s Can’t Dance, Waiting for Wings & Painting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert. I could go on and on!! Happy reading!

The Giving Tree was shown to me in junior high. I read it and didn’t get it?? Why was this book popular??

When I was in the teacher credential program at my university, I took a Children’s Lit course, and my teacher brought the book out and asked for comments. I sank back into my seat, because I didn’t get the book. He did go on to say he didn’t like the book at all! Why?? because the “tree” is the mom and the expectation is for a mom to sacrifice all for an ungrateful child. And I understood.

The Giving Tree gives all with no gratitude at all from the taker. Is that ok? Is it an allegory of a mother and child relationship?

I think there is so much open for interpretation in The Giving Tree. Ironically, as a very young child I LOVED this book. It was my favorite and I asked my mom to read it over and over again. I know I couldn’t have grasped the complexity of the message but still something about it resonated with me. As a mother I now read it to my little boys and they love it too. I think it means something different to each person, which could be why it is popular. Regardless of your specific interpretation I like to think that one overarching message is that giving unconditional love and putting others before yourself will ultimately bring you the most joy (despite the sacrifice at the time – and I do personally feel this way about motherhood, but I don’t think the book is depicting motherhood specifically). I also appreciate the message that at any age and at any stage (an old stump for example) still has something meaningful to contribute to society and lighten someone else’s load. Another theme could be money/materialism.. the man/boy wants money (so tree gives apples to sell), he wants a house (tree gives branches), a boat to sail away (tree gives trunk), etc. Each time the man comes back unfulfilled and needing something more. The tree, however, finds joy and contentment in loving and helping others. See… so many themes and interpretations!

all i can contribute to is children’s books…we love Press Here and Mix It Up both by Herve Tullet. Press Here is definitely the favorite and is read over and over again. My kids hated Runaway Bunny, but Goodnight Moon (they look for the mouse in the room) was a keeper/classic.

and that Windsor chair is amazing. I also saw that chaise on The Flea (if Jayson Home allowed me to, I would just live in the store)

I wasn’t a huge fan of the other stools, either, though mostly their shape rather than their color. These new stools?? AMAZING! Also, while it’s hard to find, look for “Happy Hippopotami”. It’s by the same author as Chica Chica Boom Boom. (Bill Martin??). So much fun. My daughters still love it and they have children of their own now.

Some of the best resources I have found for introducing awesome reading to my kids have been book lists. Ask your librarian, google them or reference some parenting/teaching books for lists that fit your family culture and values. They’re usually divided into age categories to make it easy to see what’s currently most appropriate for your kids. Happy reading! 🙂

As for kid books, Secret Pizza Party remains a favorite (a raccoon in a trench coat? yes!), along with the Zen Shorts and Zen Socks books. Those last 2 are great for their imagery and the message. Stuff like keeping the right perspective and letting go of grudges.

For me, just finished “Where’d you Go Bernadette” which I enjoyed and am now reading Before the Fall.

My girls are 27 and 30 now but when they were about Charlie’s age, we started introducing chapter books, starting with the Chronicles of Narnia. We read through them twice before kindergarten and by then my oldest was ready to read through them herself. I started with board books as infants and was a sucker for beautifully illustrated children’s books. Just like when you talk to kids, they understand far more than they can tell you. We sacrificed some picture books because little hands weren’t ready for paper books but little minds were. By far, my favorite book was, “I’ll Love You Forever.” It will be the first book I send when I have a grandchild on the way! (“I’ll Love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.” — Mom is always saying it to her child as he grows up until, at the end, she’s old and he says it to her. (I’m in tears even now)

Thanks for sharing more than just design/decor inspiration & letting us into your personal life. On a side note, my toddler is also not a fan of Runaway Bunny & for the most part, he likes every book you put in front of him. His fave? Where the Wild Things Are. Keep up the good work!

My kids loved Little Hoot and Little Pea by the (so sadly) recently deceased wonderful author Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Also: All the Colors of Me – it’s about diversity, in a very friendly, artistic way. Oh, so many kids’ books – my favorite pastime was picking out books at the library for the kids to read and finding books for birthdays and holidays in the bookstore. Enjoy picking them out and buying them, because later, your kids make their own choices that you might not always agree with (but you are happy with them, as long as they read books …). The piano is beautiful. I love the light in your house!

Love the new wood stools 🙂 and can’t wait to see the rest of the house. I also love love love that you took the photo with the shelves styled as they actually are at home. I mean, I love a beautifully styled room but sometimes you really just want to see the authentic room. At least I do. I’m curious how other people *actually* live (even in beautiful spaces). Thanks for keepin it real! 🙂 Oh, and not one of my three kids ever liked Runaway Bunny AT ALL!!! LOL

Hi Emily! I am so in love with the sconces you picked out. I got the same ones for my house! Can you please tell us where we can find the drum shade flushmounts you put in the bedrooms? I’m stuck on what to pair them with. Thank you!

I can’t watch Law and Order since becoming mom seven and a half years ago. That was my go to when I lived out of the country and wanted to binge watch. Motherhood is weird and awesome and I would totally sit in that old grandma lounge and read my heart out.

Kids might be too young yet, but inspiring book for strong successful female role models with great apolitical messages from all around the world, ( stories are only over a double page spread) and throughout history and with wonderful illustrations, great for boys and girls is Goodnight Stories for Rebel girls, 100 tales of extraordinary women, very inspiring – Moana on steroids! Enjoy!

My Grandkids LOVE Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker. Great pictures and wonderful story with rhyming. I just got Mighty, Mighty Construction Site for my Granddaughter but we haven’t read it yet. I’m sure it’s good also. I also love Take Heart My Child: A Mother’s Dream by Ainsley Earhardt.

Elephant and Piggie books! They are great for little kids but my ten-year-old still loves them because they’re so sweet and funny. Also, all the Mr. Putter and Tabby books. A Sick Day for Amos McGee. Mary and the Mouse, the Mouse and Mary (you’ll love the interior design!). This is Sadie. Today, by Julie Morstad (I have a feeling you’ll love her.) The Cow Loves Cookies. Extra Yarn. That is Not a Good Idea. These are our favorites and we *love* books. Happy reading from rainy Portland! 🙂

http://www.twentybyjenny.com/ Check out my daughter’s website and blog on children’s books. If you want to subscribe there is a spot to do that too. She also has an Instagram and twitter. I love your design ideas and how you combine beautiful fine pieces with other pretty and inexpensive ones as well!

Books by Andrea Beaty like Iggy Peck Architect, Rosie Revere Engineer and Ada Twist Scientist are wonderful to read and the drawings are divine. Also, get yourself a copy of 100 Stories for Rebel Girls, best book for both girls and boys about all the amazing women from the past and present.

I’m an early childhood teacher. Here are some favorites:
Silly Sally;
Go Away Big, Green Monster; Quick As a Cricket; Harry the Dirty Dog; Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes; Time for Bed; Little Pea; I Stink!; Soon by Timothy Knapman and all the Pete the Cat books; Goodnight, Gorilla; We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and anything by Eric Carle.

When I read to my now 25 year old law student I always read the title first then the author’s name explaining they wrote the words and then the illustrator’s name that they drew the pictures I also said the name of the publisher and the year and where published or printed.
Not sure it meant anything to him but I liked him knowing it was a team that published the book. It was then interesting when you would find an author that also did the illustrations or an illustrator that worked with a different author. Also with my first son I forgot about the nonfiction section of the library and with my second we also read about planes cars levers engines etc

Emily, your house is beautiful! It’s so fun watching it all come together and become really personal.
Since you asked, I NEED to recommend Musikgarten classes for your kids. We did them on and off thru the years: mommy and me group music classes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers that are very movement based.
This year my 7 and 9 year old just finished their first year of keyboard class, and I’m blown away by how much they learned. I played piano for years as a teenager and I feel like I even learned a lot! All of the play, games, movement came together to teach them piano. Highly recommend.

I LOVE all Margaret Wise Brown and my kids sat through it many times. I was always dramatic reading it. My favorite I think is The Important Book. I thrifted my kids’ books and loved Golden Books and Dr Seuss. My son discovered his love of poetry with Dr Seuss and Shel Silverstein and once woke up in the middle of the night when he was about 2 and whispered “Let’s talk about money” from “Oh Say Can You Say”.
I love a book that I found more recently…Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. And the Wild Washerwomen is amazing! Richard Scary naturally….all those trucks. For girls (I dig genders, sorry, not sorry!), I collected Tasha Tudor like “1 is One” and “Book of Fairytales” (with Rapunzel on the cover) and Eloise Wilkin such as “Prayer for a Child” and she has a book about Birds. So very pretty (and I have met babies that look just like her illustrations).
For Christmas, The Tale of Three Trees.
Of course, Curious George.
That’s a good start….

Three more….Beatrix Pottter of course, Wait Till the Moon is Full by Margaret Wise Brown and Animalia by Graeme Base and Australian author/illustrator. It’s a beautiful alphabet book with a Where’s Waldo kind of approach to finding all the pics that match the letter. Good vocabulary builder plus lots of it is British Commonwealth/Aussie oriented, so fun and educational in that way as well. Can you tell I like children’s books!?

I love everything about these pictures, but mostly I love that you have a shelf with both Plato and “The Foot Book.” And your gorgeous “Styled” shoved down below upside down. REAL. LIFE. That chaise is to die for.

loving almost all your new pieces!! the piano is just killer, and totally reminds me of your old house vibe and i’m glad its not all totally gone 🙂 you really had america worried when you started talking cottage! lol. i also LOOOOVE that little cabinet chair situation, what a gorgeous vignette! can’t say i’m a fan of the chaise, but everything else is dope. love it!

Hi Emily! I’d see if there was a KinderMusik program in your area. It focuses on developing a love and appreciation for music for young ones.
It starts with understanding rhythm and progresses through to pitch matching and instruments. They have classes for babies too.

I just picked up “Alphabetics” at City Lights Books while on vacation in San Francisco. The typeface on the cover grabbed me first, then I saw the illustrations, and then after reading a few pages, I HAD to get it for my daughter Penelope. It’s super fun to read to her, even if the vocabulary is too complex for a 2-year-old, and it’s beautiful. I call that a win-win! http://usshop.gestalten.com/alphabetics.html

Chris Van Dusen books. SO wonderful. We first bought THE CIRCUS SHIP. Then the Mr Magee and his little dog Dee books. Lastly, IF I BUILT A CAR. THE SEVEN SILLY EATERS is priceless I give as baby gifts all the time. LLama LLama books…..so sweet. There is another group of books…HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY GOODNIGHT, etc. I’m a grandmother of 6 and mother of 4…Reading these fabulous books has been a joy. Please give them a look.

Hi Emily! Thank you for sharing the beauty of your home with us. I am in love with those drapes. They fall so perfectly and full. I can’t quite tell which type of pleating you used here. Would you mind sharing that as well as any secrets you may have for making them appear so full?

OMG. That piano is to die for. My sister still has our family piano from like 40 years ago, and it’s SO special to her (and me even though she has it). Your kids will love this piano forever. And that chaise???? Kill me now. Very glam and sexy and it seems to fit into your house beautifully. On a side note, loved “The Killing” – the lead female character is unrecognizable in the new “The Catch” – that’s how well “The Killing” did on depressing and dark. I really want to be your best friend – between your outrageously perfect style and your tv show loves…..besties????

My son started music theory (sounds a bit stuffy for a three yearl old) where he learned about instruments, played around with them, and listened to music; like learning to notice the differences like dramatic music versus happy music. All of it geared towards little ears. After two years, he was ready to start actual lessons. I believe firmly that this early introduction not only made him a great piano player but he is also very good at math and critical thinking.

Aaaahhhh…I saw images of this model of piano when we were searching 4 years ago (while I was pregnant and determined that the fetus WOULD HEAR ME PLAY THE PIANO WHILE IN MY WOMB). We couldn’t find one, and wound up with another that I really do love. But gosh…this piano is SO PRETTY!!!!! Love it and cherish it forever! <3

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Hello!

Emily is a stylist, author and T.V. host with a strong commitment to vintage inspired approachable home style for every single person. Perfection is boring; Let’s get weird. learn more

Interior Design Blog by Emily Henderson

I started this interior design blog in 2010 as a journal of my style and home projects with the belief that design should be approachable, informational and accessible no matter what budget.

As a home style expert who has a strong commitment to peeling back the intimidating layers of the world of home decor, and showing how every person can have a beautiful home that represents their personality, no matter what the budget.

After styling for magazines and catalogues for years, I started my own interior design blog, won HGTV Design Star, and have gone on to host my own hit TV show Secrets from a Stylist, Author the book STYLED, and create the design firm Emily Henderson Design.

My motto has always been to write and publish on my blog what I personally want to read about.

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